Surface Mining and Reclamation

ADEQ's Surface Mining and Reclamation group regulates
the mining of coal and other mineral resources to ensure that
the environment isn't harmed during mining. It also works to
ensure that mined properties are returned to beneficial use
after operations shut down.

Staff, which includes geologists, engineers and
inspectors, issues permits and authorizations to mining
operations and quarries. Most of the employees are in
ADEQ's headquarters in North Little Rock. Five are in the
Russellville field office, closer to coal mining sites in the
Arkansas River Valley in west Arkansas. Non-coal resources
currently mined in Arkansas are soil, clay, shale, gravel,
stone, limestone, sand, gypsum, bauxite, and novaculite.